Maxie Hayles closes Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit

A veteran anti-racism campaigner has blamed a lack of funding for his decision to wind up the organisation he formed 23 years ago. Maxie Hayles founded the Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit (Bramu) in 1989.

Bramu has depended on community funding since it lost a council grant in 2010. The city council said funding for the organisation was not renewed “due to the tough economic climate”.

Mr Hayles said: “The name of Bramu goes but at the same time something else will have to replace it with that vigour and enthusiasm and drive.”

He said Bramu had continued for two years on money given by the community, trade unions, and churches.